Quick & Easy Wash-and-Wear Hairstyles for Women on the Go

By Ann Compton

Wash-and-wear hairstyles are always in fashion for women with busy lifestyles. Choosing a style should be determined by your hair type and texture, although some styles are easy to achieve in minimal time with the right haircut and styling products. Most are ready to go with a shampoo, quick blow dry and some finger styling. To find the perfect wash-and-wear style, evaluate your facial shape and hair type before making a style choice.

Go Short

The pixie can be adapted to any hair type and is extremely versatile. It goes from high fashion with spikes to smooth and sleek, or elegant when swept to the side with some waves. All of these can be achieved with your blow dryer and some styling mousse or molding paste.

For the most flexibility, ask your hairdresser for a layered cut that’s short on the sides and back, and cropped around the ears. Keep the top a bit longer but blended into the lower layers, and feather the bangs. This will allow you to achieve several different styles depending on your time, choice and the occasion.

Long Hair

If your hair is long and straight, a simple wash-and-wear style starts with shampoo and conditioner. Then towel dry and gently run a wide-tooth comb through the hair, and let it air dry. Bangs add some interest to this style and are easy to maintain. Get a regular trim from your hairdresser to remove split ends and keep this style in shape. For special occasions, ease or variety, pull the hair back and pin it up. Use some mousse and sweep the bangs to the side for an elegant, sleek look.

Curly Hair

Curly hair is best worn shorter for wash-and-wear ease. Wash with a shampoo designed for curly hair, and follow with conditioner to avoid frizz and too much volume. While still wet, scrunch curl-enhancing mousse through the hair and let it air dry for a style with texture.

Curly hair should be trimmed and shaped regularly by your hairdresser to keep its shape and avoid split ends and excess frizz.

Style by Hair Type

Fine hair can be cut to a chin-length bob, using some layering. Too much length is bad for fine hair because it becomes flat. Keeping fine hair shorter and layered adds volume and lift.

Thick, straight hair does best when layered to give it lift that doesn’t weigh it down. A shag cut makes this thick, straight hair wash-and-wear. Blow dry after washing with some mousse to add volume and style.